Answers

Hi Bubble - I'm not sure about bay trees particularly, but I would say that reducing a shrub by half would put alot of strain on the plant and might well kill it. Better to reduce it by, say, a quarter this year and another quarter next year. Either that or take plenty of cuttings before you go ahead!

I chopped a huge bay tree back by at least half a few weeks ago, i was going to dig it out altogether but then decided that in its (much-reduced) state it could maybe stay. So far it looks fine.....I'll let you know what happens!